Warm Tile Floors - The Very Definition of Comfort

If you look up “ultimate comfort” in the dictionary, there may be a mention of radiant heated tile floors. Well, there would be if I had any influence with Mr. Webster. Hopefully you have had the experience of walking on a heated floor. Better yet, hopefully you have had the experience of living in a home with a heated tile floor. It's a comfort that just can't be beat.

Radiant heated floors utilize a wire grid that is installed either in a concrete slab or placed in thin set on top of the slab, directly under the tile. A sensor in the floor is wired to a programmable thermostat, so you can maintain the desired temperature or activate the system only when you want. If you have a raised wood subfloor, the radiant heat cable is installed on the top of that and the finish surface is then installed over it. Tile is a common surface for radiant heated floors. Not only is tile attractive, it has a low “R” value, which means it won’t insulate you from the heated floor. This equates to efficiency. And nowadays, energy-efficiency is paramount.

One of the other big advantages of a heated floor is that it enables you to easily adjust the level of heat for each room. Want one room a little warmer than another? It’s easily accomplished with this set up. With a forced air system it’s not so easy.

Many tout the potential of increased efficiency using a heated tile floor system. That’s cool – or warm I should say – but I can’t stress enough the added comfort this form of heat will offer. You’ll lose track of your slippers. If your feet are warm you will be warm all over. Trust me, I'm a tile setter and I've installed a heated tile floor in my home. I haven't worn a pair of slippers since!